Anacostia Watershed (DC/MD) — On September 27, 2022, the Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS) hit a huge milestone in the #MusselPower program: releasing the 35,000th freshwater mussel to the Anacostia River! AWS President Chris Williams was joined by Tommy Wells, Director of the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), who then put on their waders to gently release the last 400 freshwater mussels in this project. Restoring the Anacostia River's natural systems increases the river's health and makes the region more resilient to climate change and other challenges. Increasing the freshwater mussel population aligns with other AWS work for the river such as wetland restoration, replanting riverside forests and cultivating healthy meadows.

Bronx & Harlem Rivers (NY) — Wilderness Inquiry’s Canoemobile program provides outdoor education and programming for the whole community with canoes. Canoemobile returned to the New York area this fall on the Harlem River at Roberto Clemente State Park on October 10, 2022.

Caño Martín Peña (PR) —The San Juan Bay National Estuary Partnership celebrated world birding on October Big Day on October 8, 2022. Bird enthusiasts were encouraged to learn about the migratory birds in the Estuary Basin and monitor real time migration on www.ebird.org. 

Los Angeles River Watershed (CA) — The Los Angeles River Urban Waters Partnership held a partnership meeting on September 28, 2022. Partners learned about federal funding and technical assistance programs. Noemi Emeric-Ford, Brownfields Project Manager, presented on the EPA Brownfields Grant Program. Morgan Capelli, Environmental Justice Coordinator in EPA Region 9, presented on the EPA Environmental Justice Program and Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers Program (TCTAC). Cindy Tejeda, Watershed and Floodplain Program Manager in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) South Pacific Division, presented on USACE Tribal and other partnership programs.  

Middle Rio Grande/Albuquerque (NM) — EPA announced more than $26 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to the New Mexico Environment Department and the New Mexico Finance Authority for water infrastructure improvements. The New Mexico Drinking Water State Revolving Fund capitalization grant is being awarded to the New Mexico Finance Authority in the amount of $17,992,00 for their drinking water program. The New Mexico Clean Water State Revolving Fund capitalization grant is being awarded to the New Mexico Environment Department in the amount of $8,738,000. Nearly half of this grant will focus on assisting disadvantaged communities across the state.

Mystic River Watershed (MA) — The Mystic River Watershed Urban Waters Partnership hosted the Building a Common Foundation for Racial Equity in the Mystic River Watershed workshop on October 13, 2022. The workshop provided an introduction to how racism surfaces in the context of water issues and to racial equity.  A second workshop that builds on the foundations of this first one is scheduled for December 1, 2022.

Mystic River Watershed (MA) — The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) celebrated the Mystic and volunteers at the ‘Mystic at 50’ annual meeting and celebration on October 12, 2022. MyRWA highlighted successes of the past year, elected new Board members and honored Community Award recipients. The celebration included a raffle and visual interactive presentations.

Northwest Indiana Area (IN) — CommuniTree, the Student Conservation Association (SCA), the Wetlands Initiative (TWI) and other partners hosted a volunteer tree planting event at the Bethune Early Childhood Development Center in Gary, Indiana on October 6, 2022. Volunteers planted 28 native trees to help increase the green canopy in Gary.

Patapsco Watershed/Baltimore Region (MD) — The Patapsco River Watershed/Baltimore Urban Waters Partnership welcomes its new Ambassador, Claire Cambardella! Claire is the University of Maryland Sea Grant Extension's Northern Maryland Watershed Restoration Specialist, where she works with local stakeholders to implement best management practices for improving water quality and quantity issues. Coming from a long career in Chesapeake Bay restoration education, she has managed education programs for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, taught at Notre Dame of Maryland University and spent time researching cultural influences on climate change policy perspectives as well as the effects of beavers in eastern U.S. streams and rivers. She is passionate about bringing people together to experience and learn about their local waterways, how to have a positive impact on water quality and simply to enjoy the outdoors. Claire lives with her partner, Chris, and her dog, Robot, in Baltimore County, just north of the city line.

Patapsco Watershed/Baltimore Region (MD) — The Baltimore Urban Waters Partnership met on September 28, 2022. The meeting included a presentation from Dexter Locke, USDA Forest Service, on stewardship mapping and assessment. The Baltimore City Department of Public Works gave an update on Green Resources and Outreach for Watersheds (GROW) Centers. GROW Centers are neighborhood greening resource hubs that have engaged 1,900+ residents in 100+ neighborhoods on planting trees and other greening efforts. Additional speakers highlighted artists and activities working at the intersection of art, science and social/environmental justice.